HC Deb 25 May 1978 vol 950 cc678-9W
Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what monitoring arrangements exist for regularly checking the health of London Transport staff, including those employed by London Underground.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the health checks given to London Transport employees depend upon the grade and age of employee. All employees receive a medical examination on entry into the service and at specified ages. Train grades are also examined on promotion to these grades, after absence due to illness lasting four or more weeks, after certain illnesses regardless of length of absence and after an accident on duty resulting in three or more days absence from work.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list those parts of the London Transport Underground system where tunnel walls are covered with a sprayed asbestos mixture; and what action is being taken to remove such coverings.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the only part of the London Transport railway tunnels with an asbestos lining is a quarter of a mile of the southbound tunnel of the Northern Line between Golders Green and Hampstead stations. London Transport has arranged for a specialist asbestos removal contractor to commence stripping this lining at the end of June this year. The tunnel will be closed during this operation, which will be monitored by the Railway Inspectorate of the Department of Transport.

Mr. Madden

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the places where London Transport dumps asbestos removed from Underground rolling stock; how much stock has been surveyed to identify the presence of asbestos; when any such survey will be completed; and what safeguards exist, for employees and public, to remove health risks at the place where asbestos stripping is undertaken.

Mr. John Grant

I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that London Transport has surveyed all its rolling stock for the presence of asbestos. Only seven vehicles were found to have asbestos insulation and these have had all the asbestos removed by a specialist contractor who disposed of it through an authorised waste disposal contractor. No further stripping is foreseen.